cliffe Church, Henry Pendlebury, of Holcome Chapel, Rich. Goodwin, of Bolton, and Robt. Bath, of Rochdale. He had previously been carefully examined as to his literary attainments, had disputed the question, An Pædobaptismus sit licitus? whether infant baptism be lawful? He had also preached before his examiners on Rom. x. 15, "How shall they preach except they be sent?" It was a day much to be remembered, and the recollection afforded him pleasure a long time after. "It hath often," he says, "been much satisfaction to my spirit in the midst of my troubles, to review my regular entrance into the ministry. I had the unanimous call and consent of my people, manifested by subscribing their names; and some aged men sent as delegates to represent the whole, accompanying me to Bury, where by fasting and prayer, and imposition of hands, I was set apart to the important office. I confess I had many sad thoughts and fears about the time of my ordination, not so much respecting the the temporary exercises required as preparatory thereto; but principally, my great insufficiency for that high and holy calling. Such an impression it had on me, (though I knew not the tithe of duties and difficulties of what I have since felt,) that I should have been completely deterred and discouraged therefrom, had not the outward and inward call from heaven, the concernment of God's glory and the church's necessity, the intentions of my parents, the convictions of my conscience, the dedication of myself to God by former vows, and my putting my hand to the plough, prevailed with me and pressed me to this service. God was pleased to conduct me comfortably through the usual exercises, mightily to enlarge the hearts of his people in prayer, and graciously to afford assistance to all that were employed in the work of that day. Mr. Tilsley excellently

and profitably gave the exhortation; and there were many tears poured forth."

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Having thus solemnly, publicly, and fully entered on his pastoral work at Coley, Mr. H. reviewed his situation, and the providences that led to that connexion in the following manner: "O what riches of grace are here! that thou, who art one of the greatest of sinners and least of saints, not worthy to be called (much less to be) a saint, should be a minister, an ambassador of the King of kings, and be entrusted with the most precious pearl that was ever communicated to the sons of men! But how camest thou into so high an office? Art thou not an intruder? I hope not. I came into it in a lawful way, according to God's word. Though the window was open, and every one might enter that had a mind, yet I crept not in thereat; but entered by the door of an internal call, inclining, disposing, and, in some measure, qualifying me thereunto; and also of an external call from the church, moving, selecting, and designing me for that function. Here is mercy upon mercy! To be a minister, and a lawful minister of the gospel, to have to deal with souls (in an authoritative way) as having commission from Jesus Christ, my Lord and Master! Well, but where art thou? Amongst an affectionate people, from whom thou hast had a general call and invitation. They are a willing people, ready to lay out themselves according to their power. They are generally an intelligent people too, at least, in comparison with many in other places: the foundation is laid, and thou hast to build thereupon. Ah, who am I to succeed so many skilful and faithful predecessors? They are a tractable and attentive people that give good heed unto the word, and do many things by way of outward conformity. Thou mightest have been

amongst a humoursome, self-conceited, and presumptuous people, that would have shown their teeth against thy sharp and plain reproofs. Though thy means are short, compared with others, yet thou hast a better supply by thy people's due respect and warm affection. I had rather have my people's hearts enlarged towards me, than their purses opened for me. O what a mercy is here! it is as much as thou canst wish, and more than thou deservest. I have been in harmony with them insomuch, that to my knowledge, I have not fallen out with great or small in the congregation for two whole years and upwards: this is a choice mercy, O bless thy God for it, and ascribe it not to thyself. Thou art also amongst a people, by whom thou mayest benefit thy soul in holy conference, secret heart-discoveries, and especially in private days of humiliation; for this place hath been famous for professors. I must confess, indeed, God hath deprived thee of some valuable pillars, but he seems to supply their places by young people. Here indeed is the chief of many mercies to have some beginnings of conversion, some inquiries after heaven, some prickings of heart, this is worth all; of other things I have enough. If I have suitable fruit of my poor labours, and occasion some glory to God, it were no matter if I beg my bread from door to door among them: it is better to gain one soul to Christ than gain a world. Ah, my soul, will it not be a joyful time when I shall be able to say: 'Lo, here am I, and the children thou hast given me?' Thou hast some credit amongst thy people, but then thou shalt have credit with saints, and angels, even with Christ himself, and shalt shine as a bright and beautiful star in the holy and happy firmament!"

The first three or four years of his ministry at Coley, he lodged with a private family, where he

learned some important and useful lessons, from the character and disposition of the master of the house.

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Though very kind and courteous to me," he observes, he exhibited an epitome of carnality and worldliness. He became a notable school-book and teacher to me in the infancy of my ministry; in conversing with whom, I got much insight into, and was well furnished for answering, those carnal pleas and cavils of misguided souls, which otherwise I should have been unacquainted with. I had also not a little help there in the society of some serious, humble, faithful souls that I found in the family, especially a servant-man, a good old disciple, with whom I have taken sweet counsel." In a soliloquy, entitled, "Good out of Evil," he thus expresses himself on this subject: "How well hath God wrought for thee, O my soul, in many things which thou hadst thought had been against thee; so that thou hast had cause to bless him for crossing thy designs, and refusing to answer thy desires! A carnal, sensual, profane head of a family in human apprehension might have been thy bane; but through God's mercy it hath contributed much unto thy advantage. Although the Lord hath not succeeded thy endeavours for the conversion of this poor man, yet, hast thou not been much bettered by living in this family? Thou didst find some holy, self-denying souls, with whom thou hast had sweet communion, of whom thou hast received counsel and comfort in conference, praying, and secret exercises, by which means, thou hast been delivered from occasions and temptations to sin. O the benefit of good company! Perhaps thou mightest have been overcome in other families, to the grief of thy heart, the discredit of religion, and the dishonour of thy God. Though thou hast not wrought upon the head of the family,

thou hast been instrumental of good to inferiors. Hath not conversing with this bewildered creature been a profit to thy soul? Hast thou not hereby discovered more of Satan's methods, that thou mightest oppose them? Hast thou not been more acquainted

with the sinful reasonings of a carnal heart, that thou mightest better answer them? Hast thou not discovered sinners' subterfuges, false rests, and castles in the air, that thou mayest demolish them? Tell me, O my soul, are not these observable preparatives for thy future employment? Hath not this been a good way to convince thee of the insufficiency of the means itself for conversion, without the concurrent assistance

of divine grace? From his own confession, my host, unhappy man, hath been terrified sometimes by close and particular applications; yet to the grief of my heart he hath been worse afterwards, which hath made me say, not theoretically, but experimentally, that God alone doth all, and that it is the work of omnipotence to convert a sinner to God. This hath made thee to depend upon divine influence and the saving efficacy of the Spirit to accompany the word. Hath not this also been an occasion of thy tender compassion to poor, wandering prodigals, and impenitent sinners? If thou hadst always conversed with believers, (which still is the happiest thing in the world, next to communion with God,) thy bowels would not thus have yearned over sinners, nor prayed so earnestly for them, nor sought so seriously for their recovery. God saw this was a good means to try thy faithfulness: blessed be God for using any means to such an end. Hast thou not, my soul, by this means, learned to bless God more sensibly and feelingly for his distinguishing love? What made thy God to set his love on thee and not on him? Was it for thy worth or dignity?